Notebook: Hill, Walker sign letters of intent with Florida

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 4:42 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 4:42 p.m.

Florida's class of 2013 is off to promising start with the signings of a pair of elite, in-state prospects.

Five-star point guard Kasey Hill (Eustis, Montverde Academy) and five-star power forward Chris Walker (Bonifay, Holmes County) both faxed in their letters of intent on Wednesday in the first day of the early signing period.

Hill committed to the Gators on New Year's Eve, while Walker announced his commitment to Florida last July. Both were travel-league teammates over the summer for Florida Team Elite.

“Obviously there are guys we are recruiting that are going to sign late, but I'm really excited about the two guys we got,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said shortly after UF's 74-56 win over Wisconsin. “Kasey Hill I think is clearly one of the better point guards in the country. He's explosive. He's really good in transition, for our style of play, pick-and-roll, pressing, he's going to be terrific.

“I've been recruiting Chris since his freshman, sophomore year. He's long, he's athletic, he's quick. I think his offense needs to get better, but he's got a really good motor. He's competitive.”

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Hill is rated the second best point guard and ninth best overall prospect in 2013, according to ESPN.com's Dave Telep. Walker (6-10, 205 pounds) is ranked by ESPN.com as the 10th best overall prospect and fourth best power forward.

“All of these national rankings and where they rank guys, who knows at the end of the day?” Donovan said. “But I think those two guys, being around them the last few years, we've really spent a lot of time recruiting them and really happy those guys signed today.”

Walker had talked over the summer about being a potential one-and-done player, but Donovan said he has no concerns about his maturity coming into college basketball.

“All guys think that,” Donovan said. “I think all guys strive for that. I think he's a guy that's going to continue to grow and mature as a player.”

Florida's class is currently ranked fifth in the nation, according to ESPN.com, behind Kentucky, Kansas, Memphis and Indiana.

The Gators aren't finished recruiting for 2013. Elite forward prospects Julius Randle (6-9, 225 pounds, 4th in ESPN.com Top 100) and Jabari Parker (6-8, 220 pounds, 2nd in ESPN.com Top 100) have visited the UF campus and are undecided. Both aren't expected to sign until the spring signing period in April.

Wilbekin, Prather update

Donovan said that junior Casey Prather (concussion) underwent an MRI on Wednesday that came back negative.

As for suspended starting point Scottie Wilbekin, Donovan said he will have more information on his status on Thursday. Wilbekin has been out since the canceled season opener against Georgetown for a violation of team rules.

Too many minutes

Donovan said he felt he played starting guards Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario “too many minutes” due to the Gators' limited depth. Rosario played 39 minutes while Boynton played 37 minutes.

“I thought I put Kenny in a difficult situation because he had to run our team, he had to trap in the backcourt. There were a lot of things I had to ask him to do, that I felt were challenging for him without being able to substitute for him,” Donovan said.

Freshman guard Michael Frazier added eight points and five rebounds off the bench.

Strong at the line

Florida was able to build on its lead against Wisconsin due to a strong night at the free-throw line. UF made its first 15 free-throw attempts and finished 16-of-20 (80 percent) from the charity stripe.

“We always want to get to the line as much as we can, especially against a physical team like Wisconsin,” said Rosario, who was 4-for-4 from the line. “I thought we did a great job with that.”

<p>Florida's class of 2013 is off to promising start with the signings of a pair of elite, in-state prospects.</p><p>Five-star point guard Kasey Hill (Eustis, Montverde Academy) and five-star power forward Chris Walker (Bonifay, Holmes County) both faxed in their letters of intent on Wednesday in the first day of the early signing period.</p><p>Hill committed to the Gators on New Year's Eve, while Walker announced his commitment to Florida last July. Both were travel-league teammates over the summer for Florida Team Elite.</p><p>“Obviously there are guys we are recruiting that are going to sign late, but I'm really excited about the two guys we got,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said shortly after UF's 74-56 win over Wisconsin. “Kasey Hill I think is clearly one of the better point guards in the country. He's explosive. He's really good in transition, for our style of play, pick-and-roll, pressing, he's going to be terrific.</p><p>“I've been recruiting Chris since his freshman, sophomore year. He's long, he's athletic, he's quick. I think his offense needs to get better, but he's got a really good motor. He's competitive.”</p><p>The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Hill is rated the second best point guard and ninth best overall prospect in 2013, according to ESPN.com's Dave Telep. Walker (6-10, 205 pounds) is ranked by ESPN.com as the 10th best overall prospect and fourth best power forward.</p><p>“All of these national rankings and where they rank guys, who knows at the end of the day?” Donovan said. “But I think those two guys, being around them the last few years, we've really spent a lot of time recruiting them and really happy those guys signed today.”</p><p>Walker had talked over the summer about being a potential one-and-done player, but Donovan said he has no concerns about his maturity coming into college basketball.</p><p>“All guys think that,” Donovan said. “I think all guys strive for that. I think he's a guy that's going to continue to grow and mature as a player.” </p><p>Florida's class is currently ranked fifth in the nation, according to ESPN.com, behind Kentucky, Kansas, Memphis and Indiana.</p><p>The Gators aren't finished recruiting for 2013. Elite forward prospects Julius Randle (6-9, 225 pounds, 4th in ESPN.com Top 100) and Jabari Parker (6-8, 220 pounds, 2nd in ESPN.com Top 100) have visited the UF campus and are undecided. Both aren't expected to sign until the spring signing period in April.</p><p><b>Wilbekin, Prather update</b></p><p>Donovan said that junior Casey Prather (concussion) underwent an MRI on Wednesday that came back negative. </p><p>As for suspended starting point Scottie Wilbekin, Donovan said he will have more information on his status on Thursday. Wilbekin has been out since the canceled season opener against Georgetown for a violation of team rules.</p><p><b>Too many minutes</b></p><p>Donovan said he felt he played starting guards Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario “too many minutes” due to the Gators' limited depth. Rosario played 39 minutes while Boynton played 37 minutes.</p><p>“I thought I put Kenny in a difficult situation because he had to run our team, he had to trap in the backcourt. There were a lot of things I had to ask him to do, that I felt were challenging for him without being able to substitute for him,” Donovan said.</p><p>Freshman guard Michael Frazier added eight points and five rebounds off the bench.</p><p><b>Strong at the line</b></p><p>Florida was able to build on its lead against Wisconsin due to a strong night at the free-throw line. UF made its first 15 free-throw attempts and finished 16-of-20 (80 percent) from the charity stripe.</p><p>“We always want to get to the line as much as we can, especially against a physical team like Wisconsin,” said Rosario, who was 4-for-4 from the line. “I thought we did a great job with that.”</p>